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Washington Wizards: 3 Keys to Victory in Game 2

By Jerran Anderson

Apr 16, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) on the court against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) on the court against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 16, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris (5) dunks the ball against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Markieff Morris (5) dunks the ball against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Bigger minutes out of their forwards

The Washington Wizards got a big game out of Markieff Morris and they’ll need a lot more of those. Morris leads a group of versatile forwards for the Wizards. In Game 1, Morris put on a spectacular playoff performance.

Morris stepped up in a big way in Game 1. He was 8-for-19 from the floor with 21 points, including a few thunderous dunks. Morris and other forwards will need to step up in Game 2 with the Wizards thin on the interior.

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Young forwards rookie Kelly Oubre Jr. and Otto Porter also gave the Wizards some big minutes. Porter scored 10 points, grabbed nine rebounds and dished out two assists. Oubre Jr. had 11 points, two rebounds and two steals.

A few Wizards’ players are banged up heading into Game 2. Center Ian Mahinmi is out with a strained left calf. Center Jason Smith and forward Kelly Oubre Jr. missed practice Monday.

Smith played just 12 minutes against the Hawks. He left banged up after a collision during the game and never returned.

Despite his injury, Oubre has been one of the better defenders for the Wizards as of late. If he can stay healthy, he could find himself in the lineup in the game’s final minutes going forward.

Mahinmi being out with injury hurts the Washington Wizards interior defense, but they have the bench to lessen the blow. However, the bench can’t allow the Hawks’ bench to have another big game.

If the Wizards want to make a deep playoff run, playing Beal for 39 minutes and Wall for 37 isn’t going to work.